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Can Any Mattress Be Used On Adjustable Beds?

Posted on by Marc Laurance
adjustable bed with control
05
Oct

Adjustable bed bases lift the bottom and top of a mattress anywhere from 40 to 70 degrees. As a result, you’re more comfortable as you sleep, read, or watch television. But there are several different options available when choosing a mattress.

All mattresses except for old innersprings can be used on adjustable beds. The metal coils on older innersprings make them too inflexible. Mattresses made from memory foam, latex, airbeds, and hybrids are recommended since their design allows more flexibility, but newer innersprings are OK too.

There are also other things to consider when choosing the right mattress for an adjustable bed. You’ll also want to choose a manufacturer that is known for durability and comfort. Let’s go over these details so you can be sure of the right mattress to invest in.

How do you choose a mattress for an adjustable bed?

The best mattresses for an adjustable bed can bend or flex while keeping its structural integrity. The choices available also vary in thickness and comfort, which will depend on your own personal preferences.

Let’s explore these mattress types in detail:

  • Memory foam: Memory foam is the most popular choice of mattress for adjustable beds because of its ability to conform to individual body shapes while supporting your weight comfortably. It also doesn’t have pressure points that other mattresses do. When you use memory foam with an adjustable bed, it’s flexible enough to accommodate to the base contours.
  • Latex: Latex mattresses are similar to memory foam, since it’s also made of foam. However, they do feel different; some people find that latex mattresses have a more buoyant feel. When shopping for latex mattresses you’ll come across those that are made from either synthetic or natural material. But for an adjustable bed, latex mattresses should be thinner because it allows them to be more flexible for the adjustable base. Thicker latex foam mattresses can negatively impact the base’s mobility.
  • Airbed: Airbed mattresses are increasing in popularity, particularly those that are built with adjustable pressure points. Airbeds are made with at least one air chamber, and their support levels can be adjusted simply by adding or reducing air pressure. But only certain airbed models can be used with adjustable beds.  

Keep in mind that when you use an airbed for an adjustable bed, the bending might restrict the air and support in some parts of the mattress, resulting in a bed that is rigid. It is not recommended to use airbeds with only one air chamber for an adjustable bed.

  • Hybrid: Many people prefer hybrid mattresses because they pretty much combine all the best features of different mattresses all rolled together into one. A majority of hybrid mattresses in the market are suitable for adjustable beds.
  • Innerspring: Traditional innerspring mattresses are what most of us are used to sleeping on. Older models are built with metal coils, though newer models today use different materials for its springs. But because older innerspring mattresses aren’t flexible and have pressure points, these are not recommended for use on adjustable beds. On the other hand, you can use newer innerspring mattresses on an adjustable bed if their coils are made with flexible material. Just keep in mind that you’ll likely have to replace innerspring mattresses more often. To be sure, check with the mattress manufacturer.

Don’t confuse innerspring mattresses with hybrid mattresses. Some people mistakenly interchange these two terms since both of them use coils, but each type of mattress has distinct materials and layers. Hybrid mattresses have at least 2 inches of foam, as well as pocketed coils while innerspring mattresses have thin padded tops and a specific coil known as the Bonnell.

When shopping for a mattress, always go with a manufacturer that uses newer and more modern materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high should the adjustable bed be?

Adjustable beds range from 12 to 18 inches in height from the ground, providing a low to medium height bed base. For this reason, anyone can benefit from using an adjustable bed no matter what your sleeping style is.

How thick should the mattress for an adjustable bed be?

Depending on how high or low you have set your adjustable bed frame to be, a 10 to 14-inch mattress is a good range and can conform to your body. Just don’t set your bed frame too high and go with a thick mattress because this can make it uncomfortable or difficult to get in and out of bed. Anything less than 10 inches in thickness may be too thin and won’t be supportive for restful sleep.

If you’re a side sleeper, a mattress 12-14 inches thick will give you the added support and cushioning needed for restful sleep, while back sleepers can be comfortable with 10-12 inch thick mattresses.

Do adjustable beds damage mattresses?

No, adjustable beds won’t damage mattresses for as long as you use the right kind of mattress. Since not all kinds of mattresses are compatible with adjustable beds, using the right one is critical. Memory foam mattresses tend to compress over time especially if you use it on an adjustable bed daily, but it’s still considered one of the top choices.

How often should an adjustable bed mattress be replaced?

All mattresses should be replaced around every 8 years. However, depending on the construction of the mattress, your weight and age, or sleeping habits, you may need to replace your mattress earlier than recommended. For example, if you tend to roll around bed often, or share your bed with someone, this can cause mattresses to sag much quicker than normal.

It helps to know the Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) and the firmness scale of the mattress. Manufacturers use the ILD number to tell how much weight the mattress can hold before it starts to dent 25% of its thickness. Firmer mattresses have a higher ILD. Brands don’t typically advertise the ILD number for the mattresses they sell, but you can always find out by calling their customer service.

Marc Laurance

Hi, I'm Marc. I'm the staff writer for Bedzine. I have a passion for interior design, especially bedroom aesthetic - and I hope to inspire you with new bedroom ideas each week.